Chapter 983: Staying in the Capital

Translator: Henyee Translations Editor: Henyee Translations

“What if it does?”

Shao Yunduan.

“My love, you enjoy arguing, don’t you?”

“You’re pushing me away and not allowing me to voice my concerns?”

“No… no, I’m not pushing you away!” Shao Yunduan was completely thrown off track by Qiao Xuan’s persistent questioning. He sighed, caught between laughter and tears. “But I am genuinely worried about your well-being in the capital…”

Qiao Xuan spoke softly, “But you’re not concerned about me when I’m not in the capital?”

Shao Yunduan was taken aback.

“You don’t want to see me after so many years?”

Annoyance flashed across Shao Yunduan’s face.

“I want to stay in the capital.”

Shao Yunduan smiled as he looked at Qiao Xuan. “Alright, let’s stay together here!”

Qiao Xuan smiled, tears still lingering. “Don’t worry, the Tian Family has little connection with us, and we might cross paths again soon. The Tian Family doesn’t care about someone like me, a concubine’s daughter who knows little. But you, as an officer in the court with ties to the Tian Family and many acquaintances in the court, you need to be cautious!”

“I may not be able to assist you in other matters, but I can provide you with a peaceful home to rest in. Isn’t that wonderful?”

Shao Yunduan felt warmth spreading through his heart. He smiled. “Who says you know nothing? You’re absolutely right! I’m not afraid to resign, and I don’t care about political intrigues. I can simply give up my position. Let’s stay in the capital for as long as we can.”

Qiao Xuan smiled in return.

Qiao Xuan appreciated his words, even though they seemed pointless and lacking motivation.

Upon reaching an agreement, they felt a sense of relief and relaxation, with reduced conflict.

This was why it was said that those who lacked desires should remain strong.

As long as he didn’t exploit the Tian Family, they had nothing to threaten him with.

After the banquet, the prestige of the Advanced Scholar came to an end.

As scholars, they had successfully and gloriously completed their journey.

What awaited them next was another path to becoming an official.

How well they fared on this journey was uncertain.

Though each person had different qualifications to become an Advanced Scholar, they all started from the same point.

In 10 or 20 years, who knew what would transpire?

Perhaps the Primus would take no action, or the Advanced Scholar would rise to become a top-ranking officer.

Such possibilities existed.

They were both anxious and eager for the future, yet they silently swore not to become the most conspicuous individuals.

Shao Yunduan had already resolved not to dwell too much on this. He remained composed.

Observing the scene, he suddenly noticed a distinction.

When the Ministry of Personnel made the appointments, the positions were allocated one by one.

In the capital, there remained a total of 46 individuals, dispersed across the six departments, Hanlin Academy, and various other locations. Naturally, the newcomers who had recently been recruited held positions at the ninth or eighth grade, with the highest being seventh grade. Their starting point could not be any higher.

As for the rest of the group, they were dispatched as local officials throughout the country.

The distinction lay in the fact that some were stationed in Jiangnan, the Central Plain, or the remote southern regions, while others were assigned to the bitterly cold and harsh territories in the northwest. This contrast was even more pronounced than those who remained in the intermediate locations.